What is Nato, what does Nato stand for, how does it keep Europe safe and what is Britain’s defence spending? – The Sun

How has the role of the world's largest military alliance changed?

AFTER the Second World War 12 countries came together to sign the agreement that formed Nato.

But, more than 60 years on what is the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, what does it do and is it keeping us safe?

Alamy

Nato, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is an intergovernmental military alliance established in 1949.

Nato was formed with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 by 12 member states Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the UK and the US.

It has expanded to 28 member states, with countries including Germany, Spain, Greece and Turkey joining, andrepresents a population of more than 900 million people.

The organisation isconsidered to be the largest and most powerful military alliance in history.

Nato iscommitted to individual liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law with all decisions taken by consensus.

Thepermanent headquarters of Nato is in Brussels where the Secretary General chairs senior decision making bodies.

The current Secretary General is former Prime Minister of Norway Jens Stoltenberg.

Heads of government and state have met at 26 Nato summits since 1949 the latest in Poland in July 2016.

Nato aims tosafeguard the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.

It was established primarily tokeep Europe safe by deterring any attack.

In 1949 this involved stopping Soviet expansion, preventing a revival of nationalistic militarism in Europe and encouraging European political integration.

But, over time the organisationhas changed and in recent years it has become increasingly focused on peacekeeping.

Getty Images

Nato is best known for Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty - in which members pledge to come to the aid of any member state under attack.

Article 5 has only been invoked once, following the September 11 attacks in America.

Nato isprimarily a deterrent. If a member state is attacked the attacker must go to war with all members, including the US.

The organisation, which is credited with the escalation of theCold War, carries out its own military missions using the troops of member states.

In 1995 ithelped to end the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in 1999 worked to stop mass killings in Kosovo.

Nato has been in Afghanistan on counter-terrorism missions since 2003 and in 2011 moved to protect the people of Libya.

Nato has been providing support as Europe copes with the refugee and migrant crisis.

Defence spending was revealed to have dropped below the Government's two per cent target last year,respected think tank the International Institute for Strategic Studies said.

But Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon insisted 2.1 per cent had been spent, with the new report blaming the shortfall on not keeping up with the growing economy.

The embarrassing dip comes after it was revealed just two countries in Nato met the defence benchmark -Estonia and debt-riddled Greece.

READ MORE

Jeremy Corbyn sparks outrage with call for NATO to step down from Baltic border in order to avoid new Cold War

Vladimir Putin MUST be put in his place during Donald Trumps first 100 days as US president, ex Nato chief demands

War with Russia imminent unless Britain and NATO heed Trumps warning to increase military spending, defence chiefs warn

Vladimir Putin fleet drives off Nato sub using attack helicopters in the Mediterranean as Moscow flexes its muscles

Nato sends 300,000-strong defence force to the frontline with Russia amid claims Putins hordes could overwhelm Europe in less than 180 days

View original post here:
What is Nato, what does Nato stand for, how does it keep Europe safe and what is Britain's defence spending? - The Sun